Means for forming corrugated tube from a strip



Sept. 3, 1946.- 5. J. CARTER I 2,406,943 Q ep 3 -1 6- 5. J; CARTER 2,406,943

MEANS FOR FORMING CORRUGATED TUBE FROM STRIPS Filed. Aug. 18, 1945 8 -SheetsSheet 2 A TEAM MET S 9 EVENTOR ATTORNEY p 1945- 5. J. CARTER 2,406,943

MEANS FOR FORMING CORRUGATED TUBE FROM S TRIPS Filed Aug. 18, 1943 8 Sheets-Sheet-4 ZMQM - ATm/QNE Sept. 3, 1946. 5. J. CARTER MEANS FOR FORMING CORRUGATED TUBE FROM STRIPS Filed Aug. 18, 1943 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Sept. 3, 1946. 5. J. CARTER 4 MEANS FOR FORMING CORRUGATED TUBE FROM STRIPS F iled Au l 18, 1945 a Sheets-Sheet 6 25 S SH Sept. 3,1946. s. J. CARTER 2,406,943

MEANS FOR FORMING CORRUGATED TUBE FROM STRIPS Filed Aug. 18, 1943 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 IJ/ I \f 10/ "INVENTOR N 18 1 7 I00 71M 4 TTOQ/VEY Sept. 3, 1946. 5, cA I 2,40%{943 MEANS FOR FORMING CORRUGATED TUBE FROM STRIPS Filed- Aug. 18; 1943 s Sheets-Sheet a ATTORNE mw/v w Patented Sept. 3, 1946 purrsp STATES arser QFFlCE MEANS FOR FORMING CORRUGATED TUBE FROM A s'raIP Shirley J. Carter, Hayward, Calif., assignor to Titeflcx, Inc., a corporation of New Jersey Application August 18, 1943, Serial No. 499,085 11 Claims. (01. 113-35) This invention relates to corrugated tub formed from a'strip wherein is a central longitudinal fold or groove and the edges of the adjacent convolutions are interfolded to secure them together. Such a tube is shown in the United States patent to L. H. Brinkman, No. 1,198,392, patented September 12, 1916.

Tubes oi the character as described in the Brinkman patent referred to have been formed by apparatus involving the drawing of the corrugations through a stationary die. This causes considerable friction in the die which reduces the efiiciency or operation and also tends to wear the die whereby its accuracy is impaired and this may extend, within a comparatively short time, to the point where the die, or some part of it, cannot be used further. This wearing of the die causes inaccuracy in the formation of the tube which may even cause imperfections and lack of tightness in the interfolded joint. Moreover, the die is difficult and expensive to maintain and manufacture.

It is the 1 am object of the present invention to provide apparatus for forming a tube of the character described which shall avoid the disadvantages referred to, which shall be emcient in operation, which shall accurately and reliably form the tube including its interiolded joint, which shall be of long life and shall be relatively easy and inexpensive to manufacture and maintain.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved method for forming the corrugated tube whereby the advantages as referred to may be realized and the disadvantages, as also referred to, may be avoided.

Other and ancillary objects of the invention will appear hereinafter.

In the accompanying the invention- Fig. 1 is a top plan View of apparatus embodying the invention of means and by which the invention of method may be practiced;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus of Fi Fig. 3 is a top plan view, partly broken away, of a fragment of the preforrmng means for shaping the cross section of the strip prior to its entry into the tube-forming mechanism, showing the manner of mounting and adjusting two adjacent strip iorming rollers for movement toward and away from their companion rollers and the means for effecting such movement;

drawings which illustrate Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view, broken,

away, through the first pair of rollers for inipartly broken away.

tially forming the cross section of the strip before its entry into the tube-forming mechanism; Fig. 5 is a cross section, broken away and to the same scale as Fig. 4, through the second pair of strip cross section forming rollers showing a further forming of the strip cross section;

Fig. 6 is a view similar and to the same scale as Figs. 4 and 5 showing the third pair of strip cross section forming rollers at which the strip is given its final cross sectional shape before entering the tube-forming apparatus;

Fig. '7 is a top plan view, on an enlarged scale, of the mechanism for helically coiling the strip and seaming it into the tube, partly broken away to show a fragmentary section, the forming and stripping rollers being in open or inoperative position to permit adjustment or inspection of the strip;

'Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the apparatus of Fig. '7 to the same scale as Fig. 7 but with the stripper and sealing rolls in closed, that is, operative, position;

Fig. 9 is a section on the line 9-9 of Fig. 'I; Fig. 10 is an enlargement of the upper end of the sectional view of Fig. 9 and with the tubeforming strip applied thereto; I Fig. 11 is a section on the line I l-H of Fig. '7; Fig. 12 is a section on the line l2--I2 of Fig. 9; Fig. 13 isa'section on the line l3-l3 of Fig. 9; Fig. 14 is a section on the line i l-M of Fig. 11; Fig. 15 is a section on the line 15-45 of Fig. 11; Fig. 16 is a fragmentary section, on an enlarged scale, on the line l6--I 5 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 17 is a section, on an enlarged scale, and on the line l'l-ll of Fig. 8; Fig. 18 is a fragmentary section on the line Iii-43 of Fig. 17 and to the same scale as Fig. 1'7; Fig. 19 is a section on the line Iii-49 of Fig. 18, on an enlarged scale and partly broken away showing the initial stage of the interfolding or seaming of the edges of adjacent convolutions of l the strip;

Fig. 20 is a section on to the same scale as Fig. in the later and completed of the edges of adjacent convclutions of seaming them together;

Fig. 21 is a fragmentary side elevation, partly in section and partly broken away, indicating the relations of the sealing and stripper rolls to each other and to the tube and adjacent parts;

Fig. 22 is a fragmentary view showing in sec tion, on an enlarged scale, a portion of the tube as produced by the apparatus referred to; and

Figs. 23 to 25 are views indicating diagramthe line 29-20 of Fig. 18 19 and showing the strip stages of interfolding the strip,

from a reel or other suitable source of supply,

passes about a pulley 2 rotatably mounted in the stationary support 3, whence the strip passesabout a pulley 4, also rotatably mounted on the stationary support 3, but having its axis at substantially right angles to that of the pulley 2.

The fiat strip thence passes about the: strip forming roller 5 and between the roller 5 and its cooperating roller 5. Both of the rollers 5 and 6 are rotatably mounted and when in forming position have the cooperating faces and form the flat strip into a cross section as shown in Fig. 4. The strip with cross section as shown in Fig. 4, then passes between the rotatably mounted forming rollers 1 and 8 which, when in forming relationship, have the cooperating faces and form a cross section of. strip as shown in Fig. 5. The strip with cross section as shown in Fig; 5 then passes on between the rotatable forming rollers 9 and 16 which, when in forming position, have cooperating forming faces and shape the strip into a cross section as shown in Fig. 6.

The cross section of the strip, as it leaves the rollers 8 and I0, is suitable for forming into the tube, and the strip passes from the rollers 9 and i ll into the tube forming machine as will be hereinafter referred to.

The rollers 5. 1, and 9 are rotatably mounted in the stationary support 3. The rollers 6, 8,-and l0, however, are so mounted as to be capable of movement away from the rollers 5, 7, and 9 respectively to permit placing of the strip in position, to adjust or inspect the strip, or for other reasons, and of being moved into forming relationship with the rollers 5, l, and 9 respectively to form the proper cross section of strip. Thus (see- Fig. 3) each of the rollers 6, 8, and i0 is similarly mounted so that a description of" the mounting of one will apply to each; thus' the roller 6 is rotatably mounted on a pin II fixed in a block [2 rocking about a pivot l3 in a recess of the support 3. In the block I2 is a recess l4 into which extends a reciprocating plunger-: having an anti-friction roll it at its end. .The plunger 55 reciproeates in a cylindrical handle I! and has a shoulder it between which and the end of the cylindrical handle is interposed a spring i9 tending to force the plunger outwardly. The cylindrical handle I! is pivoted to the frame 3 at 7.0 and the plunger is maintained in proper angular position about its axis by a pin 2! secured to the plunger and sliding in a slot 22 in the end of the handle IT. The handle i1 having been turned about its pivot into the position as shown, the line of action of the plunger on the block will be to the right of the pivot I3 and the end of the block carrying the roller will tend to be forced by the spring [9 to turn about its pivot l3 in a clockwise direction.

In this position of the block the roller will be pressed toward its companion roller by the pressure of the spring l-9 so that the strip will'be formed of the desired cross section forthat stage. It will be observed that in this position the roller carried by the block I2 is spring-pressed toward its companion roller so that the proper pressure upon the strip between the rollers will be maintained at all times, the spring insuring such pressure even though the parts may become worn or mal-adjusted to some extent.

It having been observed that the line of pressure 01" the plunger upon the block E2 to force its carried roller toward its companion roller, is to the right (Fig. 3) of the block pivot iii, if now it be desired to move the roller carried by the block !2 away from its companion roller, the handle !9 is thrown to the right of its position in Fig. 3 until the line of action oi the plunger i'Eupon the block i2 is to the left of the pivot [31 F The block then will be turned quickly by the pressure of the spring ii! to remove its carried roller outwardly away from cooperation with its companion roller and the rollers will be separated for inserting, inspecting or adjusting the strip as before referred to.

It will further be observed that the block if! and. the plunger i5, in conjunction with the pivot I3, provide a toggle for operating the roller carried by the block, such roller being quickly snapped into inoperative or open position as the roller it passes to the left of the pivot i3, and is positively held in that position, while the roller is snapped into and positively held in its operative or closed relation to. its companion roller, when the roller is passes to the right of the pivot l3.

It will now appear that the rollers 65, 9, and it], are opened up or removed from operative, that is strip forming, relation with their companion rollers 5, I, and 9 by throwing their respec-- tive handles I l to the left (see Figs. 1 and 3). The strip having been placed in position, the handles 51 are'thrown to the right (Figs. 1 and 3) when the rollers 6, 8, and IE! are thrown into cooperative relationship with the rollers 5, 1, and 9 (see Figs. 4, 5, and 6) to form. the desired cross section of the strip. The strip is drawn through the apparatus just described, by the pull upon it of the tube forming mechanism which is power driven as will hereinafter appear. metal strip delivered from the rollers and ii (see Fig. 6) then passes to the tube forming machine which will now be described. It will be observed that the strip as it leaves the rollers 9 and 5G. has thelongitudinal, central fold or groove 2%, the sides of which form the corrugation sides, and the marginal portion of the strip on one side of the groove has the transverse, right angled bend lei; while the. marginal portion on the other side of the groove is transversely bent to form the curled over portion comprising the inclined part I62 having the hook I83 at its outer extremity. As will hereinafter appear, the strip is, in the machine through which it subsequently passes, helically coiled, the curled over edge at one side of one convolution embraces the outer radial portion of the right angled edge lfll of the adjacent convolution and the engaged edges are folded inwardly to seam the adjacent convolutions together.

The tube forming machine comprises a head including the end pieces 26 and 2! encircled and spaced apart, so as to form a space 22 between them, by a cylinder 23, the whole being clamped together by means of screws 24. Also a cover plate 25 is secured to the end piece 26 by means of screws 25. The space 22 may be filled with oil whence it will lubricate the parts contained therein and proceed to the various bearings connected therewith.

The central shaft 27 driven by any suitable source of power, as for instance an electric motor, is rotatably mounted in the end piece 2| and has fixed. to it a central coupling member 28 having projecting from it the fingers or studs 29 which enter loosely between the projecting fingers 36 on the coupling member 3| whereby a universal coupling of well known construction is provided. The coupling member 32 is rotatably mounted in the end piece 20 by means of the ball bearing 33.

Coaxial with the shaft 21 and fixed to the member 32 is a shaft 34 journaled in. the member 35 mounted and fixed in the end piece 20. The shaft 34 is fixed to the member 32 by a fiat plate 32' clamped against a flattened side of the shaft 24 and a flattened side of the member 32 by screws 33 passing through the plate and screwed into the member 32. At its upper end the shaft 34 has fixed upon it the mandrel 36 upon which the formed tube is delivered by the stripping rolls after the edges of the adjacent convolutions of the helically disposed strip have been interfolded together by the sealing roll and its cooperating reaction roll upon the interior of the tube as will be hereinafter referred to.

Rotatably mounted on the member 35 is the sleeve 31 to which is integrally fixed the'reaotion roller 38 and a gear 39. The reaction roller is formed by forming the annular grooves 38' and 39' in the member 31 whereby the annular ridges 46 and 4| and the annular shoulder 42' are formed. It will be observed that the axis of the reaction roller is inclined to the axis of the mandrel. This gives the inclination of the reaction roller necessary to conform to the pitch of the strip as helically disposed to form the tube.

Surrounding the member 31 and clamped in place against the interior of the end piece 20 by the cover plate 25, is a housing 44 for the reaction roller and its driving gear 39, this housing being split on the diameter 43 to permit assembly of the parts within it. The housing has a central, annular, raised portion 45 about the central hole, such raised portion having on its outside the helical surfaces 1| and 12 corresponding to the pitch of the strip as helically disposed in the tube, for supporting and guiding the lower right-angle shaped edge of a the strip firmly and surely into proper position to be embraced by the curled over edge of the incoming strip. Upon its inner side the member 44 has an inwardly extending'annular projection 13 and also an arcshaped, inwardly extending projection 14, the projection 14 fitting within the groove 39' and the annular projection 13 fitting into the groove 38', the fit being a close running fit so that the annular ridges 4'0 and 4| and the whole reaction roller are firmly held in position.

The annular, raised part 45 is coaxial with the mandrel 36 and the shaft 34, and the diameter of the upper part of the portion 45 is substantially the same as the diameter of the innermost part of the formedcorrugated tube 15, so that the tube slips readily from the portion 45 to the adjacent portion of the mandrel '36, which mandrel portion is of substantially the same diameter. The portion of the mandrel which is adjacent 'to the portion 45 therefore holds the formed tube in line adjacent to the region of the formation of the tube so that the parts are held in place, but there- 'after the mandrel beyond the shoulder 16 may be of smaller diameter, its one function being to prevent the formed tube from falling too far out of line, and the friction between the tube and the mandrel is decreased.

The reaction roller is, it will be observed, (see particularly Figs. 17 and 18) eccentric with relation to the shaft 34 and the raised portion 45 so that the ridges of the reaction roller extend outside the circumference of the part 45 so as to cooperate with the sealing roller 41 to perform the interfolding or seaming together of the edges of adjacent convolutions as will be hereinafter referred to.

To drive the reaction roller the gear 39 meshes with a gear 40 fixed upon a shaft 4| rotatably mounted in the end piece 26 and having fixed upon it the gear 42 which meshes with the gear 43 fixed upon the member 32 so that the reaction roller is driven from the power shaft 21. It will be observed that the shaft 4| is inclined to the axis of the mandrel and is substantially parallel to the axis of the reaction roller. This arrangement of gearing and shafts enables the reaction roller to be driven on its axis at an angle to the mandrel axis, from the power shaft 21 which is coaxial with the mandrel.

Distributed about the center of the shaft21 and approximately apart are the stripper rolls 45' and 46 and the sealing roll 41. The sealing roll 41 cooperates with the reaction roller 38 to interfold the adjacent edges of the incomin strip and its preceding convolution, thereby seaming and sealing the edges of the incoming strip to its preceding convolution in the tube, while the stripper rollers 45' and 46 engage the tube to hold the parts in position and force the tube or strip it out upon and along the mandrel 33 whence it issues from the machine as the completed tube. The rolls 45', 46 and 41 are inclined to the axis of the mandrel and of the tube being formed, the shafts carrying these rollers being mounted upon shafts inclined to the mandrel and tube axis so that the rolls may properly conform to the helical contour of the strip forming tube.

Also the rolls 45', 46 and 41 are mounted so as to be movable toward and away from the mandrel axis so as to be movable into position to operate upon the strip and tube or into inoperative position where the strip and tube under the rollers may be inspected or adjusted. The mountings for the rollers 45'," 46 and 41 are similar and consequently a description of the mounting for one of such rollers will apply to each and the mounting of the stripper roll 46 has been chosen for the purpose of illustrating this mounting (see Fig. 11).

The stripper roll 46 is fixed upon a shaft 48 rotatably mounted in the sleeve 49 fixed to an arm -or block 50 rotatably mounted upon a shaft 5| which is mounted in the end piece 20. Rotating upon the shaft 5| is a gear 52 meshing with the gear 53 fixed upon the shaft 48. The roller 46 may be moved into and out of operative position (toward and away from .the mandrel axis) by rocking the sleeve 49 about the center of the shaft 5|, the end piece 20 having a recess 54 to accommodate the sleeve 49 and the support 50 and permit the rocking movement thereof asreferred to. It will be seen that the rocking movement of the sleeve 49 about the shaft 5| will also be-about the axis of the gear52, so that the gears 53 and 52 will stay in mesh regardless of the swinging or rocking motion of the sleeve 49, the shafts 5| and 48 being parallel.

The gear 52 is a partof the sleeve 55 rotatably mounted upon the shaft 5| nd comprising the integrally formed universal coupling member 56 having a series of projections 51 entering loosely in between the projections 58 of another coupling member. This form of universal coupling is well 57 known -andrrequiresno further description. 1;I'he coupling :member '58 :is .rotatably; mounted upon a stud. 59 fixedintthe piece 2I. and;h'as' fixed .to it the gear :50. This gear-being.driventhrough-the :train Qf gearing comprising. ."the :gear 6 In: fixed upon the centralmdrive shaft: 21 which :meshes "With the gear 62=fixed to the gear 63; the gears 62 and 63 being rotatably mounted UPOnfthB'Stlld 64 fixed in the end headiZ I. The gear: 63.meshes withthe gear 65 rotatablymounted upon theJstud fifi' for the sealing. roller 41,. the stud 66 corresponding-to the stud 59 for the stripper roll 46.

The gear 65:meshes with'the idler: gear 67 rotatably mountedonttheend head 2I, the gear 51 in turn meshing. with the ear B8 rotatably mounted upon. the stud 69' for..-th'e stripper roll 45; such studcorresponding to .thestud .53;for the roll 46. The gear 568 meshes with the idler gear. rotatablymountedzin the .end head'2I; the'gear'JIl meshing with the gear GBsecured to the universal coupling member 58 driving the 'shaftI48.-for the stripper roll 46.

TheIshafts' 80 and'8l upon'wh'ich-the stripper r0111 45: and the'sealing' roll 41' are-respectively fixed; respectively correspond with the shaft 48 of the stripper .roll 46. Upon these shafts 80 and -SI are-respectively: fixed the-gears 82 and 83 which-respectively: mesh with the gears 84 and 85 upon the sleeveszilli and 8? corresponding-respectively: with the sleeve 55 inrelation to the stripper roll: .45, ;the:lsleeves' 86 and 87: being respectivelyyrotatably mounted onshafts'BS and--89 corresponding respectively to the-shaft 5| of roll '46 ..and.;driven through universal coupling by 1means'of: ears. 68* and 65 ina 'manner as set forth in connection with stripper roll 45.

The arm or. block .EB-pivotedon the shaft 5| is acted upon'by a spring-pressed plunger 90 havingan anti-friction roller at its end and extendingrinto the recess 9| in' :the' block 5B. The plunger. 90 :reciprocates endwise in a cylinder 92 pivoted in the end head .20 and pressed outwardly of the cylinder towards the block-bymeans of a spring. .This construction is similar to theblock and operating means of the (see: Fig.3). In the case of the shaft 48,'this, with itsistripping roller. is moved outwardlyor is pressednnwardly. according to Which side of the .centerof the shaft 5| the line of pressure of the plunger 99 is on. An adjustable stop screw 93 in the block 53 comes against the .head 2Il tolimit the. inward movement of the roll on'the shaft 48.

It will be seen (Fig.'14) that the same construction of means is employed for swinging the shaft 8 I of the re-action 89 and the shaft 88 of the stripperroller '45 about theshaft" 88. Details of the operating means for thus swinging the shafts of therollers respectivelyare shown forexample in connection with theshaft 8| of the'sealing' roll 41, the spring pressedtoggle: block 83' being shifted by the plunger 94 sliding in the cylinder 95 and pressed outwardly by a spring 95 interposed between a shoulder on the plunger and the end of the cylinder (seeFig; '7) and the cylinder 95 being pivoted to the end piece at 97. To hold the plunger in proper angular position a pin 93 ex- .tendingthrou'gh' the plunger sides in a slot 99 in the end of the plunger. In order to close the recess in which the block 93 is located, a circular wall I00 is tightly secured to the block 20 and a" flexible diaphragm 'IDI, such as leather or rub- -ber,:;is secured in a fluid-tight manner to the :rim tofu-the wall I80 and also, to the p1unger'95.

.Ihisxeffectuallyicloses off the recess from the-.ex-

rollers" 5, I, and 9 roller 41 about the'shaft will converge, the edge MI" terior and: prevents .the' passage-in either. direction of oil,--water or dust andat the same time permits the handle. to be melted, in either direction about its pivot 91 to swing the shaft BI about the shaft 89 as before referred to. It will be seen that a similar mechanismis provided for swinging the shaft 83 about the shaft 88.

The sealing roller 41 has the annular corrugations or ridges I65 and IE6 between which is an annular groove into which the ridge 4| of the reaction roller extends, the ridges I05 and IE6 respectively. extending into the grooves 39' and 38'. The ridges I05 and I06 extend into the central longitudinal groove, in the incoming strip and in the' preceding adjacent convolution. As the strip-is drawn into the apparatus, the curled edge of the incoming strip. embraces the radial edge of the last preceding convolution shortly before the strip edges pass between the sealing and reaction rollers. The two edges as so engaged are drawn into the groove in the sealing rollenbetween the ridge M of the reaction roller and the bottom of the groove, radial pressure being gradually applied to them whereby they are pressed together and interfolded until at the point of nearest approach of the rollers the edges will be tightly interfolded and pressed together. Thisis especially shown in Figs. 18, 19, and 20. The curled over edge, comprising the parts I02 and'lll3, of the incoming strip'embraces the radial edge IOI' of the last convolution seamed into the tube, just before the rollers are reached. As the rollers are more closely approached, the

interengaging edges occupya position as shown in Fig. 19 and then, as they are drawn further in between the rollers, they are further folded over into the-position as shown in section in- Fig. 20, and on being drawn between the rollers to the point of their closest'approach' th'e interenga .ing-stripedges will be: pressed into their final,

compact interfolded position as shown in ID! (Fig. 20) and as in the completed tube see I 08 (Fig. 22).

-The operation 'of interfolding the strip edges may be further explained with reference to Figs. 23 to 25. Referring to Fig. 23, the dotted line I III represents a transverse section of the radial edge of l a strip convolution already seamed into the tube at its other edge, while the dotted line comprising the parts I03, I02 and I00 represents a transverse section of the incoming strip. wIt will have been observed that the incoming strip is in a line substantially tangential to the reaction and sealing rollers while the radial edge IOI of the convolution already seamed to the tube at its other edge, moves in a circle about the mandrel axis and that as the said edge IIJI rotates and the incoming strip is drawn in between the reaction and sealing rollers 38 and 47, the said edge IIII and the curled edgeof the incoming strip passing gradually within the embrace of the curled over edge of the incoming strip. and the two edges being gradually bent over together by the application of radial pressure until in the position of nearest approach of the rollers the edges are'interfolded into the completed seam.

In Fig. 23 the marginal portions of the strip sections represented by the dotted lines are those which will be interfolded together, occupying the same position longitudinally of the completed seam. In the position shown in Fig. 23, these sections of the strip edges have not progressed far enough toward the rollers to have the radial edge IIJI enter within the curled edge of the incoming strip although'it is about toldoso. "As these strip sections approach the complete interfolded position between the rollers as referred to, they will reach a position as indicated in Fig. 24 where the edge Il' has entered Within the curled over edge of the incoming strip and both havebeen bent laterally of the scam, the portion IOI having its edge cammed outwardly by and sliding along the inclined part I02 toward the hook I03. As these sections move further. toward the full interfolded position the edge of the portion IOI' will move into the hook I03 and the parts will finallybe bent into the full interfolded position as shown in Fig. 25 at the point of nearest approach of the rollers. Succeeding sections will be acted upon in a similar manner and thus the seaming of the incoming strip to the edge of the last preceding convolution secured at its other edge into the tube, will be carried on continuously for as long a period as is desired. It will be observed .that this interiolding is accomplished by radial pressure upon the interengaging strip edges, such pressure being exerted on the peak I09 of the curled over portion of the incoming strip thereby bending the inclined portion I02 about its end I I0. vAs the part I02 is thus bent, the radial edge of the adjacent convolution will be bent with it into the final interfolded condition in the completed seam. The inclination of the part I02 will facilitate and insure the proper movement of the radial strip, edge which is embraced by the curled cver ortion, 50 that the two strip edges are certainly and accurately moved into the final interfolded condition as referred to. From the reactionand sealing rollers theseam passes into the annular groove III of the stripper roller 45 and thence about the portion 45 to the groove H2 in the stripper roller 46. The seam thus passes on in the completed tube and out upon the mandrel.

- The stripper rollers 45 and 46 are alike, the

roller 45" being displaced from the sealing roller by one third of the pitch of the seam in the completed tube, along the tube axis, and, the roller 46 being displaced from the roller by one third of the seam pitch, along the tube axis whereby the seam in passing through the grooves of the stripping rollers as referred to, conforms tothe helix of the corrugation in the completed tube. As shown, there are other annular grooves than those mentioned in the stripper rollers whereby ridges on those rollers are adapted to engage in the helical groove of the tube already formed thereby improving their engagement with the tube. The sealing, reaction and stripping rollers being driven in the directions as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 18, the tube will be rotated in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 18) and, its corrugation engaging in the grooves of the sealing and stripper rollers arranged axially of the tube so as to conform to the pitch thereof, will cause the tube to move outwardly upon and along the mandrel and thence pass from the mechanism. The mandrel is driven in the direction of rotation of the tube but, in order to avoid all danger ofsnubbing of the tube thereon it is driven at a slightly slower speed than the tube.

The operation of the mechanism may be briefly traced as follows:

The strip from which the tube is made is preformed by a series of pairs of rollers so as to be ofthe proper cross section for introduction into 'the mechanism for helically disposing it and in- --terfolding the edges 01! adjacent convolutions.

This strip is drawn through the preforming rolls and into the seaming and coiling mechanism by the rotation of the tube already formed byreason thus positioned with relation to the convolution to which it is to be seamed, so that the curled over edge of the strip embraces or hooks over the radial edge of the convolution. The two edges thus interengaged, then are drawn in between the reaction and sealing rollers whereby they are gradually bent over into final interfolded condition by the radial pressure of the sealing roller thereon. The interfolded or seamed edges then pass on through the helically arranged stripper rollers by which the tube is moved longitudinally onto the mandrel as before described.

It will be seen that the incoming strip is continuously seamedto the next preceding convolution so long as it is desired to continue the operation and that such strip is bent into its helical form by being seamed to the convolution.

The drive shaftfl may bedriven by an electric motor 0 supplied with current from mains III, the operation of the motor being controlled by a main switch II2. f In'the apparatus illustrated provision is made for soldering the seam. This is accomplished by drawing into the seam as it is formed, a thread I I3 of solder which may have a flux incorporated with it as is well understood. Such solder thread being incorporated in the seam, is drawn thereby from a reel II4 over the idler pulleys H5 and I I5. The tube, complete except for heating and subsequent cooling to accomplish the soldering operation as is well understood, with the solder thread in the seam, is as shown in Fig. 22. The tube of Fig. 22'is then heated to efiect the soldering of the point and is then allowed to cool.

It is desirable, where soldering is wanted, that if the solder thread should break the operation of the" machine should stop in order to avoid unsoldered portions of the seam. To this end a switch is provided in the supply circuit of the motor having a pivoted member I I6 carrying one of the switch contacts, biased to separate its carried contact from the other switch contact and open the circuit. The pivoted member, however, carries a roller II'I over which the solder thread II4 passes and the tension on the thread occasioned by the drawing of the thread into the seam fromlthe reel, holds the contacts together and maintains the motor circuit. Should the thread break, its tension would be removed and the arm H6 would move to separate the contacts thereby stopping the motor.

Ifit is not desired to solder the scam, the solder thread may be omitted from the scam, the operation of forcing the tube from the strip being as hereinbefore described. Also where the solder thread is omitted the thread reel, its idler guide pulleys and the solder thread controlled switch in the motor circuit, should be. omitted, the last mentioned switch being substituted by .a permanent circuit connection.

While theinvention has been illustrated in what are considered its best applications, the invention of apparatus may be embodied in other structures and the invention of method may be fvariousl'y practised without departing from its 1 1 spirit. The invention of apparatus is not therefore limited to the structures of the drawings and the method is not limited to the precise details recited.

What I claim is: r

1. A mechanism for forming a corrugated tube from a strip comprising in combination a member about which the strip passes, a rotatable reaction roller embraced by said member, said roller being eccentric with relation to said member and said member having an opening at one side permitting cooperation of said reaction roller with a sealing roller, and a rotatable sealing roller, said sealing and reaction rollers having cooperating grooves and ridges adapted to interfold marginal portions of the strip.

2. A mechanism for forming a corrugated tube from a strip comprising in combination a member about which the strip passes, a rotatable reaction roller embraced by said member, said roller being eccentric with relation to said member and said member having an opening at one side permitting cooperation of said reaction roller with a sealing roller, and a rotatable sealmg roller, said sealing and reaction rollers having cooperating grooves and ridges adapted to interi'old marginal portions of the strip and a stripper roller engaging said strip after it has been secured to the tube, for urging the tube longitudinally.

3. A mechanism for forming a corrugated tube from a strip comprising in combination a member about which the strip passes, a rotatable reaction roller embraced by said member, said roller being eccentric with relation to said member and said member having an opening at one side permitting cooperation of said reaction roller with a sealing roller, and a rotatable sealing roller, said sealing and reaction rollers having cooperating grooves and ridges adapted to interfold marginal portions of the strip and a plurality of stripper rollers engaging said strip after it has been secured to the tube, for urging the tube longitudinally, said sealing and stripper rollers being symmetrically placed about said member.

4. A mechanism for forming a corrugated tube from a strip comprising in combination a member about which the strip passes, a rotatable reaction roller embraced by said member, said roller being eccentric with relation to said member and said member having an opening at one side permitting cooperation of said reaction roller with a sealing roller, a rotatable sealing roller, said sealing and reaction rollers having cooperating grooves and ridges adapted to interfold marginal portions of the strip and a rotatable mandrel substantially coaxial with said member.

5. A mechanism for forming a corrugated tube from a strip comprising in combination a member about which the strip passes, a rotatable reaction roller embraced by said member, said roller being eccentric with relation to said member and said member having an opening at one side permitting cooperation of said reaction roller with a sealing roller, a rotatable sealing roller, said sealing and reaction rollers having cooperating grooves and ridges adapted to interfold marginal portions of the strip and a rotatable mandrel substantially coaxial with said member, said mandrel adjacent said member being of substantially the same diameter as said member and of less diameter at a distance from said member.

6. A mechanism for forming a corrugated tube from a strip comprising in combination a mem- 12 ber about which the strip passes, a rotatable reaction roller embraced by said member, said roller being eccentric with relation to said member and said member having an opening at one side permitting cooperation of said reaction roller with a sealing roller, a rotatable sealing roller, said sealing and reaction rollers having cooperating grooves and ridges adapted to interfold marginal portions of the strip and a helical support for the strip extending about said member.

7. A mechanism for forming a corrugated tube from a strip comprising, in combination a member about which the strip passes, a rotatable reaction roller embraced by said member, said roller being eccentric with relation to said member and said member having an opening at one side permitting cooperation of said reaction roller with a sealing roller, a rotatable sealing roller, said sealing and reaction rollers having cooperating grooves and ridges adapted to interfold marginal portions of the strip, said sealing roller being mounted to move toward and away from said reaction roller.

8. A mechanism for forming a corrugated tube from a strip comprising in combination a member about which the strip passes, a rotatable reaction roller embraced by said member, said roller being eccentric with relation to said member and said member having an opening at one side permitting cooperation of said reaction roller with a sealing roller, a rotatable sealing roller, said sealing and reaction rollers having cooperating grooves and ridges adapted to interfold marginal portions of the strip, a stripper roller engaging said strip after it has been secured to the tube, for urging the tube longitudinally, and means for spring pressing said sealing and stripper rollers toward the axis of said member.

9. In a mechanism for forming corrugated tubing from a strip which is helically disposed and has edges of adjacent convolutions interfolded, in combination, a mandrel coaxial with and internal of the formed tube, a reaction roller adjacent one end of the mandrel having annular grooves and ridges and extending within the formed tube, an external sealing roller having annular grooves and ridges cooperating with the reaction roller to interfold the edges of adjacent convolutions of the strip, and means to rotate the mandrel, said rotating means being situated remotely of said mandrel and said reaction roller and including a drive shaft passing through said reaction roller and connected with said mandrel.

10. In a mechanism for forming corrugated tubing from a strip which is helically disposed and has edges of adjacent convolutions interfolded, in combination, a cylindrical mandrel coaxial with and internal of the formed tube, said mandrel having an outside diameter substantially equal to the inside diameter of the formed tube, a reaction roller adjacent one end of said mandrel having annular grooves and ridges and extending partly Within the tube formed, the outside diameter of the portion so extending being smaller than the outside diameter of the mandrel, an external sealing roller having-annular grooves and ridges cooperating with the reaction roller to interfold the edges of adjacent convolutions of the strip, and means to rotate the mandrel, said rotating means being situated remotely of said mandrel and said reaction roller and including a drive shaft passing through said reaction roller and connected with said mandrel.

11. Ina mechanism for forming corrugated tubing in a strip which is helically disposed and 13 has edges of adjacent convolutions interfolded, in combination, a mandrel coaxial with and internal of the formed tube, areaction roller adjacent one end of the mandrel having annular grooves and ridges and extending within the formed tube, said reaction rolle being arranged for rotation about an axiswhich is angularly disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel, an external sealing roller having annular grooves and ridges cooperating with the reaction roller to interfold the edges of adjacent convolutions of the strip, and means to rotate the mandrel, said rotating means being situated remotely of said mandrel and said reaction roller and including a drive shaft passing through said reaction roller and connected with said mandrel.

SHIRLEY J. CARTER. 

